The Kunar River originates in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountains, flows through Kunar Province, and merges with the Kabul River near Jalalabad before entering Pakistan through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is a vital tributary of the Kabul River system, supporting agriculture, livelihoods, and ecosystems across both countries.
The Kunar Dam is a proposed hydropower and irrigation project announced by Afghanistan’s Taliban government in 2025. The project aims to generate electricity, enhance irrigation, and strengthen Afghan water management capacity. However, it may also reduce downstream water flow to Pakistan, sparking cross-border concerns.
Pakistan depends heavily on the Kabul–Kunar River system for irrigation and hydropower, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Since there is no formal water-sharing treaty between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Islamabad fears that upstream storage could:
• Reduce downstream water availability
• Affect agricultural productivity and hydropower generation
• Be used as geopolitical leverage
No. Unlike the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan, there is currently no agreement governing the Kabul River basin. Previous efforts by the World Bank and other mediators to initiate dialogue have stalled due to political instability and mutual mistrust.
Afghanistan maintains that it has the sovereign right to utilize its natural water resources for national development. Officials have emphasized, “Afghans have the right to manage their own waters.” The Kunar Dam is presented as a step toward energy independence and food security.
The Kabul and Kunar rivers contribute around 20–25% of Pakistan’s Indus River basin flow during the dry season. Reduced inflows could:
• Intensify agricultural water stress
• Affect hydropower stations like the Warsak Dam
• Increase overall regional water insecurity
The announcement of the dam came shortly after border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. As a result, many analysts see the project not only as a development initiative but also as a symbol of sovereignty and strategic leverage amid growing bilateral mistrust.
Yes. Under the UN Watercourses Convention (1997), countries sharing transboundary rivers are expected to use them equitably and avoid causing “significant harm.” However, enforcement remains difficult since Afghanistan has not ratified the convention.
A peaceful and cooperative approach could include:
• A bilateral treaty on shared rivers
• Joint hydrological monitoring stations
• Regular data sharing and early-warning systems
• Mediation by international bodies such as the World Bank, SCO, or UN
• Joint dam projects benefiting both nations
The Kunar Dam highlights a wider South Asian trend — upstream nations asserting control over shared rivers. Similar dynamics are seen with India, Nepal, China, and Afghanistan. In this context, water diplomacy is emerging as a crucial component of regional peace, cooperation, and security.
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